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The Committee notes the Government’s report, and in particular, the information provided in reply to its general observation of 1998.

Article 1(1) and Article 2(1) and (2)(c) of the Convention.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication in the report that there are no prisons in Cyprus that are administered by private concerns, profit-making or otherwise. However, the Government indicates that, under the Prisons (General) Regulations of 1997, prisoners are transferred, after special permission, to the Guidance Centre for Outside Work and Rehabilitation, where they work outside the prison in the private sector. The Committee also notes that, under section 140 (a) and (b) of the Regulations, the prisoners who are sent to the Centre for the purpose of out-of-prison employment shall work in the free market with an employer and in work which is approved by the Committee or the Director and shall have the same terms of employment as the rest of the workers in the free market. The Government also indicates that such prisoners are paid by the company which employs them at competitive rates and are covered by the State Social Security Scheme and the Safety and Health at Work Law No. 89(1)/96 which applies to all workplaces.

While noting this information with interest, the Committee asks the Government to state, in its next report, whether the prisoners concerned offer themselves voluntarily for such employment outside prison premises, and if so, how the consent of the prisoners concerned is guaranteed, so that it is free from the menace of any penalty, including any loss of privileges or other disadvantages following from a refusal to work.